Wizard Cadet (Intergalactic Wizard Scout Chronicles Book 2) Page 10

  Neither of the children replied.

  “Fine,” Richard said. “I guess that’s the way it’s going to be. But, at least let me give you a couple of knives. Those super-advanced weapons of yours won’t help you much if you run into something really dangerous.”

  Richard imagined two hunting knives with sheaths and belts. He felt his dimensional pack draw a slight amount of Power from his reserve. Reaching over his shoulder, Richard raised the pack’s flap and pulled out two dark-handled hunting knives complete with sheaths and leather belts. He tossed one at each of the children’s feet.

  Neither child moved or spoke.

  For Pete’s sake, Richard said, these kids are hard cases. What’s with them? Normal human children would probably be begging for me to help them.

  Then, I guess they’re not normal, said Nickelo. Deal with it. Do you want to know what I think, Rick?

  Not particularly, Richard replied honestly. He was pretty sure whatever his battle computer had to say would not be complimentary towards him.

  I don’t think you like children, do you? said Nickelo ignoring Richard’s lack of interest in his opinion.

  Probably not, Richard said. But then, I’m not that fond of most adults either, except for my friends back at the Academy. Although, I did like that elf we were with on our mission last year. I don’t remember a lot about her, but I do remember considering her a friend.

  You know, Rick, said Nickelo, we’ve got to have your brain looked at one of these days. Your memory is atrocious. But I digress. The point I’m trying to make is you don’t like children. Dren and Brachia must sense that. When you add on your prejudice against insect races and the fact their parents were murdered by insect haters, it’s no wonder they don’t trust you.

  So, what are you saying? Richard said getting increasingly exasperated. I’m trying my best to be nice. What more can I do?

  Try smiling once in a while, buddy, said Nickelo. No one likes a person who has a scowl on their face all the time.

  No one likes a wise-butt battle computer, either, Richard said, but I still put up with you, don’t I?

  Richard wasn’t in the mood for sensitivity training right now, especially from a computer. He turned his back on the children and began walking in the direction of his future campsite. As he walked away, he yelled back over his shoulder, “I’ll have a warm fire, hot food, plenty of water, and a cozy tent if you change your minds. Just don’t take too long. I might decide to move to a different location if there are too many snakes and spiders in this area.”

  Oh, that will win them over for sure, said Nickelo with sarcasm dripping off each word. I’m sure they sense your sincerity with each and every word. And, that part about snakes and spiders was just downright mean. We haven’t sensed or seen a snake all day.

  I just wanted to give them something to think about, Richard said grumpily. They looked like they needed a little motivation. And you know what, Nick? I think you’re right. I really don’t like children.

  Chapter 8 – Wolf Pack

  ____________________________________

  The night air was cool on Richard’s face, but not so much as to be uncomfortable. He glanced around at his makeshift campsite. He knew he was not on par with one of Earth’s famous frontiersmen, but Richard thought he’d done a pretty good job. He had two camouflage tents erected complete with sleeping bags and pillows. A couple of propane lanterns illuminated the entire campsite. He’d hung a twenty-liter canvas field shower from a nearby tree ready to be used when and if the kids showed up. He’d even put up a tarp around the shower for privacy. Best of all, he had two old-fashioned propane camp stoves going. He was already cooking a big pot of beef stew and a large container of hot chocolate.

  Everything was perfect, except for one thing. There were no children. He was still monitoring their progress on his heads-up display. They had come upon one of the streams about an hour ago and were slowly following its meandering path in the direction of his campsite. They were currently about a kilometer away. Their progress was slow, and they were stopping more often. Richard didn’t know whether they were just tired and needed to rest a lot, or whether they had other reasons for stopping.

  Explain to me again why I have to use all this antique camping gear, Nick, Richard said.

  You don’t, said Nickelo. You could use your dimensional pack to summon the most advanced and modern camping gear the Intergalactic Empire has to offer if you so desire. Of course –

  Yeah, yeah, Richard said. I know. It would require more Power to summon it from the pack.

  That’s right, Rick, said Nickelo. Everything depends upon Power. Your Power reserve is still less than half full. The Power requirement for summoning this antique camping gear was almost negligible. You could easily have used ten or fifteen percent of your Power reserve getting more modern or military-grade gear. You’re on a strange planet, and we have no idea when you’ll need to defend yourself or those children. So, you have to decide what you want most. If you get into a fight, would you rather have advanced camping gear? Or, would you rather have an extra fifteen percent Power in your reserve?

  A little on the stubborn side, Richard chose to ignore his battle computer’s questions. He knew why he’d chosen the antique gear. Sometimes he just liked to complain. It was one of his faults. He was working on getting better at not complaining, but he knew he still had a long way to go.

  Speaking of kids, Richard said, I wish they’d hurry up and get here. At this rate, they won’t arrive until after midnight. I’m tired, and I would like to get a little sleep myself.

  Your heartfelt concern for the welfare of the children is duly noted, said Nickelo dryly. They may decide to not even join you. I’m beginning to think they’d rather go hungry and thirsty than accept your help.

  Well, Richard said as he sniffed the savory aroma of the bubbling pot of beef stew, it’s their loss.

  At that moment, the white dots representing the children on his heads-up display began moving rapidly in Richard’s direction. In fact, they were moving very rapidly. For a moment, Richard wondered if they’d caught a whiff of his beef stew.

  Look at them go, Richard said. You’d think moving that quickly in the dark they’d be getting ripped by all those sticker vines and bushes. They should pace themselves. What do you think has gotten into them, Nick?

  I don’t know, Rick, said Nickelo with a concerned note in his voice. It’s almost as if they are being chased or driven.

  Richard heard the sound of a deep howl in the night air. It was followed by another and then another.

  The kids are in trouble! Richard said as he jumped to his feet and grabbed his M12. Seal me up, Nick, full battle mode. Give me an intercept point and time estimate.

  Roger, said Nickelo.

  The force field which was Richard’s visor lowered, and his battle helmet extended down and around his neck and across the lower part of his face until it merged with his visor. Richard’s view of the world took on a reddish tint through the visor’s night-vision filter. Tubes entered his nostrils and mouth as well as his other body openings. Richard barely noticed. He took off running in the direction of the children.

  As he ran, Richard began calculating attack strategies and contingency plans. He was farther away from the stream intersection than he’d originally planned. The ground around the stream had been too boggy to be comfortable, so he’d chosen a spot on a small hill about three hundred meters away. The vegetation consisted mostly of shrub trees and small bushes. He had figured the children would have no trouble spotting the glow from his camp when they reached the stream intersection. Richard only hoped his extended quest for comfort would not cost the children their lives. He should have been closer to the stream.

  Rendezvous point, Nick, Richard said.

  The far side of the stream intersection is your best bet, Nickelo said. That gravel beach we crossed over will give you solid footing. Everything else around here is too boggy for my liking. I’ve plotted
the most efficient path on your heads-up display. You should reach it just prior to the children.

  Richard glanced at his heads-up display. A meandering green path marked his route to the stream intersection. He saw the two white dots representing the children, but he didn’t see anything else of consequence.

  What are they running from? Richard said. I’m not picking up anything with my passive scan. Are you sure there’s really something after them?

  A series of howls erupted from the night air once again as if seeking to confirm the reason for the children’s flight. The hairs on the back of Richard’s neck stood on end. The howls had an eerie sound to them. They didn’t sound quite natural.

  Whatever is pursuing them must be running under a stealth shield, Nickelo said. That’s the only possible explanation. I don’t know what they are, Rick. But, you can bet your grandma’s last cupcake it’s not going to be a normal pack of wolves. You need to be ready for anything.

  What’s my Power reserve? Richard said too busy running and avoiding obstacles to take the time to calculate percentages on his own.

  You’re at forty-six percent, Rick, said Nickelo. It could be a whole lot worse. Still, don’t go wasting any Power. Use your technology when you can. I’d say this is a good lesson on why you shouldn’t waste Power summoning advanced camping gear, eh?

  Roger that, Richard said.

  He remembered the numerous times his chief instructor at the Academy had reiterated the mantra, ‘technology first, wizardry second’. She’d also beat into their heads there would be times when they’d wish they had just one more drop of Power in their reserves. Richard could testify to that. His Power reserve had run out at the last possible second on his last mission for ‘the One’. If he’d had even a single drop of Power less in that final battle, the mission might have failed, and he’d have been dead. Richard swore he wouldn’t waste Power in whatever upcoming battle this night might hold.

  And, yes, he told himself, I am glad I only summoned that antique gear.

  I heard that, said Nickelo.

  I’m sure you did, buddy, Richard said.

  When he got close to the stream intersection, Richard noticed the kids were still at least a hundred meters away.

  Nick, Richard said. We’re going to get there before the kids. Should I continue on and meet them?

  Negative, Richard, said Nickelo. I’d recommend against that. The vegetation is too thick for you to fight effectively. You’ll do much better on the open area of that gravel bar near the stream. I’ve calculated the children’s current speed and the estimated range to their pursuers based upon the sounds of the howls. The children have a ninety-four percent chance of reaching you at the gravel bar a good eight seconds ahead of their pursuers.

  You mean, assuming they don’t trip and fall, Richard said.

  Yes, said Nickelo. I am assuming that. There are always unknown variables in every calculation. That’s why it’s a ninety-four percent chance instead of a one hundred percent chance.

  Richard arrived at the bank of the stream. He jumped across and landed easily on the gravel bar on the other side. The children were close. Richard grabbed his phase rod in his left hand. He activated it so the brerellium bar extended from the handle, but he did not move the lever to destructive.

  No use announcing my presence until necessary, he thought.

  Richard held his M12 in his right hand ready to fire from the hip. The shoulder strap would secure it to his side in case he had to drop the weapon. The M12 would be more awkward in a hand to hand fight than his usual M63. But, until he got a better feel for potential enemies on this planet, he’d opted to keep the heavier firepower of the M12.

  I guess I’m as ready as I’ll ever be, Richard said.

  The children will be here in five seconds, Nickelo said. If you take three steps to your right, they will come out of the brush directly in front of you.

  Richard obediently sidestepped to the recommended position. Almost immediately, Dren and Brachia burst out of the thick brush. The night was dark with only a sliver of a moon, but Richard could see every detail as if it was brightest day. The faces of both children were scratched as were their arms and legs. Their jumpsuits were torn in several places where the thorns and stickers of the forest had laid hold and left bloody reminders of their passing. The children’s eyes were wild and terror stricken. But, each child held the hunting knife he had given them in their right hand. Whatever was chasing them had them afraid for their lives, but Richard could tell at a glance the children would not go down without a fight.

  Brachia led the way with Dren right behind urging him onward with her left hand. They cleared the last of the brush and stepped into the clear area of the gravel bar.

  “Those lights, Brachia,” panted Dren. “You need to head for those lights.”

  That’s when Brachia ran into a brick wall. The night was dark, and Richard’s dull-black battle suit was designed to blend in with the shadows. The light reddish tinge of his visor must have gone unnoticed in the heat of the moment, because first Brachia and then Dren slammed into Richard.

  Releasing his grip on the M12, Richard grabbed Brachia. He half-clutched Dren with his left hand while maintaining his grip on his phase rod. Both children screamed with surprise and fear, but even so, each began stabbing wildly at Richard with their hunting knives. While very sharp, the knives were no match for the tough armor of the battle suit. The children’s blows failed to penetrate.

  “Whoa, you little pirates,” Richard said. “I’m a friend. Remember?”

  Dren recovered first. Richard saw the recognition in her eyes as she reached over and held her brother’s arm before he struck another blow with his knife.

  “They’re after us. We have to run,” Dren said.

  While he had surprised her with his presence, Richard thought the girl was remarkably in control of her emotions for such a tense situation. Richard heard crashing in the brush getting closer with each passing second.

  “No time,” Richard said. “Get behind me, and don’t move. And, for Creator’s sake, don’t run. I can’t protect you if you run. I won’t let anything hurt you. I promise. You have my word of honor as a wizard scout. Just don’t move.”

  Whether the kids believed him or trusted him enough to keep his word, Richard did not know. He just shoved them behind him with his left arm as he grabbed his M12 with his right. At that moment, the brush parted, and a half-man, half-animal looking creature burst out of the brush. It was covered in dark hair from the top of its head down to its bare feet. Glowing, crazed eyes dominated its face. The creature’s gaze locked onto Richard and the children. It snarled and gave an eerie howl as if calling others to the feast. Its elongated snout and mouth were full of pointed fangs. The creature dropped to all fours and made a leap for the children.

  Boom!

  A 20mm grenade from the M12 hit the creature square in the chest stopping it in mid-flight. It was knocked backwards where if flopped on the ground for a couple of seconds before rising to its feet. Richard watched in amazement as the hole in the monster’s chest started closing over. Wasting no time, Richard chambered another 20mm grenade into the M12’s receiver. Even before its wound had completely healed, the creature gave a growl and charged straight for Richard.

  If at first you don’t succeed…, Richard thought as he pulled the trigger on the M12 and sent a 20mm grenade into the creature’s head. The range was too close for the safety on the 20mm grenade to activate, so the grenade didn’t detonate. However, it didn’t matter. The heavy-metal round hit the creature right between the eyes and took out the whole backside of its head. Pieces of brain, bone, and splatters of blood were strewn on the rocks behind. The creature was knocked backwards a half dozen steps where it lay twitching. Richard noticed the back of the head starting to reform. It was healing itself.

  Nick! Richard said with a trace of panic in his voice as he chambered another 20mm grenade into the M12. I need help, buddy.

  I
t’s a werewolf, Nickelo said. There are more of them coming.

  Richard wanted to curse, but he didn’t have time. A year ago, Richard wouldn’t have believed his battle computer if he’d said the creature was a werewolf. But, a year made a lot of difference. Richard took it for a fact now. During his mission for ‘the One’ the previous year, Richard had been forced to fight zombies, ghouls, and even a few demons. One of the demons had been in the form of a large dragon. Richard didn’t want to believe in werewolves now, but experience had taught him to take Nickelo at his word. If his battle computer said this monster was a werewolf then Richard had no doubt it was a werewolf.

  Richard picked up more noise coming from the brush at multiple places to his front. Several somethings were approaching at a dead run. Richard glanced at his heads-up display. Other than the two white dots behind him, he registered nothing. His passive scan was picking nothing up to his front. Even the werewolf flopping on the ground a few meters from him was not registering.

  Where are they, Nick? Richard said.

  Doesn’t matter, Nickelo said. You can’t kill them with your weapons. You need silver, and you need it now. You have five seconds before the next one is on you.

  Richard held down the trigger on the M12 and sprayed the brush with a solid stream of plasma rounds. He had no idea if he was hitting anything or if it would do any good if he did, but he didn’t care. Just the noise made him feel better. At the same time, Richard imagined a .44 caliber round filled with liquid silver with a small, explosive charge in the center. He didn’t even know if any such thing existed, but he didn’t care. He was desperate. The werewolf on the ground was nearly healed, and he could see the taller brush moving as additional creatures approached. They were getting very close.